One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

This historical fiction, drama by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is published by Greenhaven Press, an imprint of Thomson-Gale and is written for adults but is sometimes studied by kids 16 years and up.

Plot Summary

Ivan Denisovich (Shukhov), like his fellow prisoners in the communist work camp, was wrongly imprisoned. This novel — based on some of Solzhenitsyn's own experiences in similar camps — chronicles just one of the 3,653 days of Shukhov's sentence. Through Shukhov's eyes, readers feel the chill of sub-freezing conditions while prisoners lay brick, sense the hunger resulting from inadequate food rations and grasp the dehumanizing effect that life in these camps has on prisoners. Shukhov and members of his work gang watch out for each other like family, and each man seeks, in his own way, to discover some meaning and fulfillment in horrific conditions.

Christian Beliefs

Alyoshka is a Baptist who is always reading the New Testament. He sometimes quotes Scripture about suffering for the cause of Christ. Alyoshka's selfless giving and positive attitude despite his wrongful imprisonment baffle Shukhov — after all, confessing to be a Baptist entitles a man to 25 years of incarceration. Toward the end of the novel, Alyoshka and Shukhov have a conversation about God and heaven and hell (Shukhov says he doesn't believe in the latter two.) Alyoshka says he's glad to be in prison because it keeps his faith strong, like the apostle Paul, and he urges Shukhov to concentrate on the eternal rather than the temporal. Though Shukhov fails to see the purpose in his own suffering, he does suggest that a man cannot fail to believe in God upon hearing thunder in the skies.

Authority Roles

Tyurin, the foreman of Shukhov's gang 104, comes across as a tough, frightening figure until he reveals how he ended up in the camp. His transparency causes the gang to embrace him. At one point when Tyurin is standing up for his men, Shukhov says he's like a father to them. Pavlo, the gang's deputy foreman, is respected for his kindness. The men work hard for him because of this. The Soviet government's inhumane treatment of these men — most imprisoned for no good reason — becomes increasingly clear as readers walk through a day in their lives.

Other Belief Systems

There is an overarching theme of communist tyranny that forces the events in this story to take place.

Profanity/Graphic Violence

B--tard, bulls---, d--n, h---, son of a b--ch and pr--k appear.

Kissing/Sex/Homosexuality

None

Awards

Unknown

Discussion Topics

If your children have read this book or someone has read it to them, consider these discussion topics:

Parents or teachers could use this text to introduce or complement discussions about communism, Stalin or Russia and its heritage.

For a large portion of the book, Shukhov performs good deeds only because he hopes for something in return. When does he finally perform a selfless act, and why?

What are some of the ways Shukhov finds value in his prison camp experience?

How does he attempt to maintain his human dignity?

What tasks or rituals are meaningful to him, and why do you think they help him remain positive?

Why is the camaraderie of the men within the gangs so important to their survival at the camp?

What are your impressions of life in a prison camp after reading this book?

How do you think people were strong enough to survive such horrible circumstances?

Alyoshka is an outspoken Christian, yet his gang mates seem to like and trust him rather than feel put off by him. What are some of his ministry "secrets"?

Are there any we can adopt today, in a society that is often hostile to Christians?

Note: Solzhenitsyn was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1970.

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